The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
17 MAY 2026
| Saturday 16 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Keith Skinner RIP |
| Sunday 17 May – Seventh Sunday of Easter. Day of Special Prayer for World Communications | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Eileen Mapp’s Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Veronica Johnson |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 18 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| Tuesday 19 May – St Milburga, Ab, V. Mem. | ||
| St Theresa’s | Special Intention | |
| St Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| Wednesday 20 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | Frances Gent RIP | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| Thursday 21 May – Dedication of the Cathedral. Feast | ||
| St Theresa’s | Ingram Family Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| Friday 22 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | Jane Walsh’s Intentions |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 23 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Private Intention (A&LP) |
| Sunday 24 May – PENTECOST SUNDAY. Day of Special Prayer for the Church | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Altar Servers |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intention |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 10 May at 11.00.m.
ANNIVERSARIES – Mary Suzanne Roberts, Denzel Gordon, George O’Hanlon, Dr Bhaskara Rajan.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY –THAT EVERYONE MIGHT HAVE FOOD – Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
Saturdays:
St Columba’s 6.00p.m. – 6.25p.m.
St Theresa’s 4.30p.m. – 4.55p.m.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS & FUNERALS – Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY – The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11a.m. service at St Columba’s on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. See the parish website under the Family tab.
PARISH OFFERTORY – Loose Plate: £559.59; Planned Giving: £338.00; Average weekly SO £718.15. (St Columba’s) Dona Stations: £130; Candles: £28.19. Thank you for your kind generosity.
FR WILLIAM – Please remember that Thursday is Fr William’s day off.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR
- The residents of Newry Park, Grange Road, Eversley Park, Wavertree Road, Western Avenue and Lloyd Place
- Vocations to the ministry, Foundations for Ministry and those in current training.
- All lay people in the varied ministries in our Churches
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – I love those random memories that make me stop and just smile. Anonymous/various
MESSAGE FROM DEACON LAWRENCE – As the 24th Anniversary of my ordination to the Diaconate approaches, 6th July, Eileen and I have agreed that it will be an appropriate time for my retirement from active ministry. We thank all who have supported this ministry over the years, and give thanks to God for the many blessings received, which have made possible any good that might have been achieved. Please keep us in your prayers.
THE SPIRITANS – The annual Spiritan Appeal will take place at all Masses over the weekend of 23/24 May. It is a time for us to show our appreciation to the Spiritan Community and the work they do. Fr Alphonsus Beni CSSp will be the celebrant that day and students Denis Davis & Martin Ekere will give the appeal.
On Monday 25 May the Spiritans in the Liverpool area will be joining us for our 10.30am Mass at St Columba’s. After Mass there will be a meeting in St Theresa’s presbytery for the Spiritans.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA –We need volunteers every Sunday after 11:00 Mass. To raise money for your good cause, please put your details on the sheet and let Margaret Curtis know on 01244 318424 or marg.curtis@outlook.com
17 May – Hopeful Ugandan Hearts, Lina Greig
24 May – volunteers please
31 May – volunteers please
RE-INTRODUCTION OF HOLY COMMUNION UNDER BOTH KINDS – It is hoped to re-introduce this in the near future. To be able to do this we will need more Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, particularly at St Theresa’s Saturday evening 5pm Mass and St Columba’s for both Masses. If you feel you can take on this role please contact one of the parish offices or Fr William. Training will be given. Thank you.
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION – If you are high school age, or older, and wish to prepare to be Confirmed at the next Chester Parishes celebration of Confirmation, on 11 November 2026, for young people – parents please register by emailing stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk . Please include your child’s date of birth and school year. This year the preparation programme for parishioners from all Chester Catholic Parishes will be led by St. Columba and St. Theresa’s Confirmation preparation team at St. Columba’s church. Adults wishing to prepare to be Confirmed please speak to Fr William, or email Father at st.theresas@btinternet.com.
The Confirmation preparation information meeting for youth candidates and their parents will be on Monday 8th June, starting 7pm, in St. Columba’s church. If you are not sure about being Confirmed, you are welcome to come and find out more about the preparation.
PENTECOST AT THE CROSS – Sunday 24 May 5 pm – A gathering for all Christians in the area to express our desire for unity as we worship and pray for the City of Chester and our region. For more information email parishadmin@chesterstpeters.org.uk
YOUTH GROUP – The youth group will meet this Monday, 18 May, starting at 7pm in the Newman room and finishing at 8.30pm in the hall. All young parishioners, school year 5, or older, are invited and most welcome to join our happy group.
PARISH ART COMPETITION – Many thanks to our 2 Primary Schools – St Theresa’s and St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s – for taking part in the parish art competition. The winning pictures from each school are on display at the front of their respective churches. Please take time to have a look at them.
DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2026 – The plane for our 2026 75th anniversary pilgrimage is now full. There are still some spaces available to travel over land by coach.
Just a reminder that, if you plan to travel independently and organise your own accommodation in Lourdes, you still need to register with our pilgrimage, especially if you wish to volunteer or join us for our pilgrimage Masses, liturgies and events. You can register via our new online booking system https://shrewsburylourdes.fillout.com/application
TOUR OF THE RELICS OF ST GERARD MAJELLA – “In the last week of May, our diocese will be hosting the relics of St Gerard Majella on their tour of England and Wales, to mark St Gerard’s 300th anniversary. The relics will be at St Werburgh’s on Tuesday 26 May, with Mass at 12.15 and 7pm. The relics will be available for prayer between Masses. The church will be open an hour before Mass for personal prayer, and blessings with the relics will be available after Mass.
2025/2026 ST THERESA’S ACCOUNTS – A shortened version of St Theresa’s accounts are on the noticeboard. If anyone wants any further explanation of the figures please contact St Theresa’s office.
BADMINTON GROUP – The Parish Badminton Group meets on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm in St Columba’s Hall, and is looking for new members. Mixed group, all ages, all abilities welcome.
BOOK SALES – ST WERBURGH’S – To celebrate 150 years of St, Werburgh’s Church, Chester, being opened, the parishioners have produced a book describing the history of the church/parish over the last 150 years. Copies of the book will be on sale at the end of mass on the following dates. Price £7 per copy – cost price.
St. Columba – Sat and Sun 6 and 7 June.
St. Theresa – Sat and Sun 13 and 14 June.
We are sure that you will enjoy this book about the roots of Catholicism in Chester and recommend it to former parishioners. (St. Werburgh’s History Group)
LOURDES HOSPITALITY GROUP – Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality are holding a day of reflection on Saturday 23 May at Shrewsbury Cathedral Chapter House. The day will include reflections from Father Sean Henry and Dr Kieran Moriarty. There will also be Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament . All Hospitality members and their guests are welcome to attend.
Please confirm your attendance to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk
RESOURCES – EASY EVANGELISATION – www.IsItTrue.net is a new website designed to encourage people to consider joining the Catholic faith. Please consider sharing it with family and friends.
CATHOLIC FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT – Castlerigg Manor in Keswick (heart of the Lake District) is offering budget-friendly holidays for Catholic families during May, August, and early September. Breakfast and evening meal are included and there will be Mass on site. Guests have full use of the site including the grounds, games room, chapel, and lounges, and Castlerigg is just a short walk from Keswick and Lake Derwentwater. Ideal for individuals, couples, families, or groups of friends. Head to www.castleriggmanor.com >> stay with us or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk / Tel: 017687 72711
YOUTH MINISTRY GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY – Do you know anyone aged 18-25 who is looking for a new challenge? The Diocese of Lancaster has a Youth Ministry team based in Keswick in the Lake District. They run retreats at Castlerigg Manor and also work in Churches and schools around the area. The ‘Youth Ministry Internship’ scheme comes with high quality training, experience, and recognised qualifications and gives young people the chance to join a welcoming community and a vibrant team doing some amazing work.
Interested? Contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk orwww.castleriggmanor.com >> join the team
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS – To book the Church, Newman Room, or Iona Chapel, contact Magdalena Bukowska at the Church Office 01244 624019, email stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Office hours Mon-Fri 9a.m. to 2.00p.m.
To check Hall availability, visit the Church Hall calendar on the St Columba’s website, then contact Magdalena during office hours or email: columbashallbookings@gmail.com
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER – Sunday 24 May to be compiled by Rebecca Vaughan Phone: 01244 318632, email: rebecca_vghn@yahoo.co.uk. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 20 May.
Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com